For some, the name Ekpe Udoh might not ring the bell, but for those who follow NBA newcomers around the world, he is a popular young man on the rise. Ekpe is an American professional basketball player, whose giant gaze is quite intimidating on and off the court. His story is a testament to the hard work and determination that can be shown by an athlete whose passion is matched with dedication and the correct application of force and skill. So far, his stellar performances on the court have made him one of the most favored signings and the best forward for the Utah Jazz in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Here are more compelling and interesting facts you should know about the champ.
Who is Ekpe Udoh, the NBA Power Forward?
Ekpedeme Friday Udoh (popularly known as EkpeUdoh) was born in Edmond, Oklahoma, USA on May 20, 1987 to her father, Sam Udoh, and mother, Alice Udoh. When he was a kid in Oklahoma, he was first interested in football but his parents for some reason didn’t like him as he wanted him to spend more time on his studies. Nonetheless, when he entered Edmond Santa Fe High School, Ekpe was encouraged by his peers to try out for their school’s basketball team due to his height. He gave in to this and quickly developed a passion for the game.
Upon graduating from high school, Ekpe won admission to the University of Michigan where he soon joined the Michigan Wolverines men’s basketball team and played for three years. Between 2007 and 2008, he led the “Big Ten Conference” with a total of 92 blocked shots averaging 2.9 per game. He then transferred to Baylor University, where he averaged 6.3 rebounds, 2.8 blocks, 1.5 assists and 8.4 points in 103 appearances.
Thanks to his impressive skill, the youngballer earned himself the following; Big 12 All-Rookie Team, Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, All-American honors by the Associated Press, among others. He decided to forfeit his senior season in college after declaring himself an NBA draft candidate on April 13, 2010.
6 facts about him
1. Nigerian Parents
For many who had found his name a bit odd for a black American, Ekpe Udoh, although born in the United States, has Nigerian heritage due to his parents, Sam Udoh and Alice Udoh. Ekpe’s parents are well-educated people from Ikot-Oku-Okon of the Efik tribe in Nigeria, and his father Sam came to the United States in search of a better life for him and his wife in 1952. .
When he immigrated, he did not know his date of birth because his parents had no schooling. Nevertheless, Sam found a job while studying. After two years, he finished his studies and began a career as an X-ray technician, which made him financially stable enough to bring his wife Alice to the United States. Soon Ekpe Udo was born. He also had three siblings, Eddie Udoh and two lovely younger sisters, Sefon Udoh and Esther Udoh.
2.Professional career
Considering there are 30 picks in two separate Ekpe Udoh was fortunate enough to be picked by the Golden State Warriors as the sixth overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft. He is currently playing as a future forward for Utah NBA Jazz, a deal he signed on July 21, 2017.
3. net worth
Ekpe Udoh is a young man living the dream he has always photographed for himself. With his skills on the pitch, he managed to achieve the success that most men his age can only fantasize about, given the type of career he is developing into. So, with his years as a professional athlete, he smiles the bank with a whopping net worth of 3.525 million USD.
4. Higher Education
Although the NBA star earns a lot of money playing basketball that could have caused him to drop out of school altogether, he decided to finish college to have a plan B, please his parents and set a good example. to his sisters. Forward Power later returned to Baylor University and completed college.
5. Height and weight
As with most contact sports that require athletes to have a particular body structure, the game of basketball tends to favor athletes who are much taller and leaner in body, due to the need to create a dunk impressive. With Ekpe Udoh, just by looking at him, he passes for a modern day giant, as he even makes some of the greatest basketball guys look like basketball. So, at a height of 2.08m (6ft 10in) coupled with a healthy weight of 111kg (245lbs), we guess you can imagine how massive it is.
6. relationship
Ekpedeme Friday Udoh has no girlfriend, yet he is not married to anyone. To prove it, he posted a tweet on September 8, 2012 in which it was written: “I need a girlfriend / wife. Okay, that’s it. Good day. This drew instant reactions from his followers, who suggested potential brides to him, while some insinuated that what he was really looking for was a groupie and not a woman. Oddly, a fan was disappointed to want a wife, saying Udoh was too young for that.